Positive Mind(re)set

“We have cured hate” Claimed an authoritative figure on national television. “I am proud to announce that from as early as next week, no one will again be able to spread any hate of any kind. I will hand you over to our lead scientist on the latest device to innovate our society”. The figure gracefully steps back and allows a white-coated lady to step in his place behind the podium with a fixed microphone. Middle-aged woman, slick ponytailed black hair. She goes on to explain about the new microchip that will be implanted in the brain, more specifically the Insular Cortex, which will be closely monitored by a team of professionals to ensure that anything they deem ‘hateful’ will be made impossible.

This was truly revolutionary. The first step in creating a society where humans can live side-by-side in harmony. What normal human hadn’t dreamt about world peace at some point. A country of people glued to their screens at the next stage of humanity. One of these people are Jeremy Taylor. Jeremy lives alone and works a job that he does not enjoy, has not had working heating in months, eats a diet of leftovers and would not describe himself as having any hobbies. But, all these issues would be problems in the past by this time next week because of this new chip, he thought to himself…

Today was the day, Jeremy thought. He hadn’t been so excited about anything for as long as he could remember. Finally, he thought, the days of not enjoying his life were over, all thanks to one small little implant. He gleefully made his way down the street, heading towards the centre. A long que stood before him, but something THIS good is surely worth the wait. 

After what felt like hours, Jeremy finally found himself at the front and ready to receive his chip. He took a seat before the nurse, as a small needle was retrieved from a draw behind.

“I just want you to relax, Mr Taylor. This should only hurt for a moment” Reassured the nurse, in a very pleasant upbeat voice. Jeremy leant his head back, then observing the man opposite stand up and over him, syringe in hand. The tip approached him slowly, until making contact with his temple. It gently slips itself through the skin, with the thinnest trickle of blood dripping down his arm. Pressing down, Jeremy can sense what feels like a small stone making its way through his temporal lobe, experiencing this obstruction each time his head pulsates. Then, just like that, the needle was retracted and it was over. No immediate change. He still didn’t feel much better about his life. In fact, he felt like there was a migraine brewing. Pushing his hand to his forehead in reaction to a sharp pain, the nurse observes this and asks if he is okay. “It feels like a knife is in there”. Jeremy pushes these words out through gritted teeth. “I’d suggest making your way home and getting some rest.” the nurse considers. “You’ll feel better in the morning.”

Sun shone through the blinds of the bedroom and onto Jeremy’s sleeping face, causing him to stir and slowly wake. Squinting his eyes and stretching out a hand in an attempt to disrupt the beam of morning light, he slowly set himself upright against the wall behind. It was unclear how much time had passed, there were only two certainties: 1. It was morning. 2. The headache still persisted. It seemed more bearable than yesterday, but after a long nap he was hoping for better. There was a chance that fresh air may be what was needed, so he threw on the set of clothes closest to him and set out his front door. The streets were eerily quiet. Not deserted, but certainly less life than usual (Which, up until this point, Jeremy would have thought impossible). Reaching out to the next passing person, Jeremy enquired as to the whereabouts of everybody. The gentleman turned around with an expression that sent chills right down his spine. He was faced with the largest smile you had ever seen, which looked as if it had been etched onto his face, but it was the eyes, in contrast, that complete the haunting look. Just above the stretched upturned mouth, were the coldest, most fear-stricken eyes you could ever hope not to see. Jeremy had barely a moment to take in this face before they responded, in a trembling voice “E-everything i-is f-f-fine. Why should anything b-be the m-m-m-matter?”. Too stunned to speak, Jeremy could not have the time to react before the man turned and casually walked on down the street. 

“Wait, what’s-” but before Jeremy could finish calling after them, a horrendous screech cut him off. Turning to detect the source of this noise, he spotted a woman crouching on the floor opposite him. Her hair was frizzy, dark bags under her eyes. She struck him as young, but looked as though something horrifying had aged her. Hands gripping her hair, ready to pull clumps out at any second. Like the sound of tear-off velcro, she strained and along with her outstretching arms the hair detached itself from her scalp. 

“I can’t take it anymore! Get this thing out of my head! Get it out! Get it -”

The next sound was deafening. After overcoming the shock of the noise, Jeremy returned his gaze to the screaming woman. Except no noise emitted from the body. In fact, no sign of life inhabited it anymore. She looked to have seizures and now her lifeless body stretched across the concrete. Looking on in confusion, the smiling man from a moment ago placed his hand on Jeremy’s shoulder. His stare was intense, whilst still maintaining his upturned lips and teeth on show, he pleaded “Don’t say anything. It’s a good thing. We don’t want to end up like her.” He gave a heartfelt pat on the back, before turning and continuing his journey away. Jeremy paused for a moment, breathing deeply and feeling his heart-beat increase. How did they say this new chip worked again? he thought to himself.

Jeremy had been walking around for what felt like hours now. Head down and keeping himself to himself, the image of what he had seen earlier still fresh in his memory. No one attempted communication with anybody they passed, they scarcely even looked up from the ground. He couldn’t blame them, but struggled to see how this kind of society was any better. However, the assumption remained with him that this must just be an adjustment period, right? Everything has its teething issues at first, of course. No idea is perfect from the get go. This made the atmosphere a little bit easier for him. Continuing with his walk, he had a bit more of spring in his step and actually began to pity the dim expressions on those around him, who were clearly unable to appreciate how good things are going to be in the near future. 

Later that day, after another shift of work where Jeremy still seeks the positives, he finds himself walking home at the dimly lit evening hours. He was unsure if the lack of positivity felt at work had anything to do with the ache at the back of his head, where he could have sworn there was a small buzzing being emitted. It was something he could not soothe, like an itch beneath a scab. But soon, this was subsided by another noise he did not believe was coming from inside his head. It was a scream. A woman’s desperate and pleaing shriek, from an alleyway just ahead of him. His face went warm and he began to shake alongside the increase of pace to investigate the source. The piercing yell got closer until the scenario confronted and froze Jeremy to the spot. Before him, was a woman pressed against a wall in an unlit area, being pinned back by a man with one thing on his mind. She was helpless  he’d already placed his hands all over her, but she still struggled and fought for her freedom. The gagging sound through the crying was the worst thing he’d ever heard, especially coupled with the mascara stained face looking around helplessly for any aid. Then their eyes met. Jeremy and this poor woman locked eyes, her look told him that he would be the only hope she had. However, before he could get a chance to make any kind of move, this exchange was interrupted by the assaulter. 

“I wouldn’t think about it, mate. You want to risk a negative thought?.”

And Jeremy knew that he was actually right. He couldn’t think, let alone say, anything negative about the situation without experiencing the mess he’d witnessed earlier that day. Turning to step away, what feels like a current of electric spikes through the front of his head creating the most searing pain. Crouching to the floor, fingernails digging into the skin around his face, Jeremy is screaming in agony. The pain is unbearable and he can feel the throbbing all around his brain. The attacker notices this and the commotion it may cause and retreats from his victim. Doing up his belt buckle, he flees the scene. Jeremy, however, is completely oblivious to this as he is now in a foetal position on the floor attempting to almost contain the pain in his head by compressing the area with his hands. As he contended with the agony, he barely even noticed the sudden dying sobs from the alleyway as there was an eerily familiar bang that silenced her. He cried. He begged for the pain to stop and resorted to an attempt in thrashing the pain out of his head, through sharp contact with the concrete floor beneath. He eventually lost count of how many times he had done this when the vision went blurry and the world spun around him. The disorientation caught up with him and faintly felt his body collapse onto the cold hard ground. 

Was he awake? Everything was spinning and nothing was in focus for him. He couldn’t move, that much was certain to him. Was he tied down? Sedated? Or just too weak.

“They need a 100% success rate on this to roll it out” a distorted voice came. The place smelt very clean. 

“I’m not sure he’s going to be happy about this one”. He heard another say. Were they referring to him? It was difficult to tell if there was anyone else with them, but the place felt very big so he assumed there must be.

“Just botch this one, no one needs to know”

“Can we do that?”

“I don’t see any other option, we’re too deep into this now”

Was his chip still present? As there were some strong thoughts circling about these people.

“Cut it off, we can put down an error on his support machine rather than the test”

Why was he thinking negatively again? Had the chip-

END.